Saharan Drive

Thom, Sari and I boarded a van that took us 185 miles south through the eastern Sahara to Abu Simbel, not far from the border with Sudan.  Min, Sari's guide for the day, knew how to get the desolation money shot

. . . but I think Sari threw him for a loop after they enjoyed a second cup of tea.  She told him to tell the driver to step on it!

After all, the journey requires a special permit from the Egyptian government because the desert bordering Lake Nasser lies in a high security zone.  It reminded me of the road trip my family made to Berlin in the early 60s.  If we hadn't reached the American zone by a certain time, East Germany would have sent the polizei to find us.

We stopped at the Mirage, or "Fake Lake" Cafe for a pee break.

Egyptian currency emphasizes a cultural hierarchy, with the Sphinx and the Pyramids on the higher denomination notes.  King Tut's royal mask appears on one pound coins while Cleopatra adorns 50 piasters.

Abu Simbel grace one-pound notes, now worth little more than a nickel.

Their valuation seems like an insult once you've seen the magnificence of the temple.